♪ The sheriff tried to capture Guy, and very hard he pressed the search. So here's how Robin Hood became a patron of the church. ♪ ♪ You there, Friar! We have reason to believe that you are hiding a wanted person. In the name of the sheriff of Nottingham. ♪ Why anyone should imagine that I would conceal anyone? You've put this so-called shrine to strangers before, Friar Turk. The sheriff is quite interested in your activities, you know. Oh, that's very flattering of you. It's in him I think of him, too. Frequently. ♪ Hey, you there, Friar! Welcome, friends! You're just in time. Well, two minutes earlier and we'd have had a fight on our hands. I wonder why they were looking for me here. Who could have put them on the trail? They were not looking for you, Robin. That's the answer. See how dismayed he looks. He thinks he's the only hunted man in England. That I'm not, unhappily. Who are they after? A serf from Lord Germain's Manor. Guy, son of Donald. But they won't find him. Are you sure of that? The only safe place to hide from the sheriff is in Sherwood Forest. And a safer one in the very center of Nottingham. The office of the stationerius. A serf among the scholars? He'll stand out like a sore thumb. Not if the serf happens also to be a scholar. He could stay there copying books for the rest of his life and never be noticed. They certainly wouldn't dream the serf could read or write. I wonder how he managed to learn. Well, he had a brilliant teacher. And the teacher had a brilliant pupil. The combination surmounted all obstacles. How about a taste of cool wine? Dinner is almost ready. You can tell that. The odor is delicious. What have you concocted for us? Some river trout, simmered in white wine with herbs. Lampreys, fried in butter with a cream sauce. A rich cheese of my own making. Nothing, really. It's a day of abstinence. It's all right, David. They're friends. David is the brother of the boy they were looking for. There is like as two beads on a rosary. It's a pretty touching story. The only way Guy could come and take lessons with me was for David to take Guy's share of the work as well as his own. This would never have been discovered except that one day, unfortunately, David fell ill. Has anything happened, lad? He came back this forenoon and searched the hut and found his sheets of practice writing. What did they make of them? They said now they'd know where to look for him. I'm sure he's got a good sense. Guy must be warned at once. My horse is tethered in the woods not more than a furlong away. Should she be the one to go, do you think? She will be, whatever I think. You and I can wait outside the town and see how she fares. We have a rather fine copy of Giralvis's topography of Ireland. No, I don't want a travel book. I want to read the fables of Avianus in a new translation by Alexander Neckam. The capitals were illuminated by brothers Swilliam. No, I want a romance. What's that Cornish one about Tristan and... something? Oh, Tristan and Isolde. Yes, a magnificent love story. You know, I haven't been so moved since I read the Song of Roland. As a matter of fact, we're having it copied at this moment. The first book will be ready in about ten days' time. Could I see a sample of the work? Of course, Your Ladyship. Oh, excuse me. This young man here, a most excellent scribe. Guy, son of Donald, I have a message from your brother David. Do you want to be captured and sent back to your own village? Lord Germain has called in the sheriff for help. Oh, no, Sheriff. Stand aside. Guy, son of Donald. I'm only a poor scribe. I saw your brother. You're under arrest. Now you'll have to admit that the only safe place for Guy is here in Sherwood with us. I'd rather try entering him as a novice in Whitby Abbey. He wasn't trained to be a fighting man. He seems to have done very well at it, from what Marion says. But this boy is a natural scholar. His talent is a natural gift. He's a good man. He's a good man. He's a good man. He's a good man. But this boy is a natural scholar. His talents must not be wasted. Perhaps Robin feels they'll not be wasted here. The friar may be right in saying that you'll make a fine scholar. But I'm equally convinced that you'll make a fine outlaw. No, thank you. The Abbey is where I want to be if they'll have me. In that case, I suggest we call on the Abbot of Whitby at once. Father Abbot. Father Abbot. Heaven preserve us. Friar Tuck. No one told me. They didn't know. All right, give me a shove, lads. This is purely an informal visit. That you scarcely have to tell me. My friend and I have brought you a lay assistant. He's a charity worker. We've brought you an applicant for the novitiate. We're always happy to welcome devout and serious-minded applicants. But you could have sent him to me with a letter and in the daytime. Not in this instance. This application is urgent. In fact, now that he's entered the Abbey, he mustn't ever leave it again. Even here he should change his name. That's the customary procedure. What has he done? What has he wanted for? I left the master to whom I was bound. Is that all? Practically. An attempt was made to take him back by force. And what happened? He who lives by force. What happened? One of the Sheriff's men got hurt by a piece of flying metal. I thought as much. Another fugitive with a price on his head. Well, I won't have it. How would you like it if you found yourself running a refuge for outlaws? But I want to be a monk, Father Abbott. He's a very devout young man. They're all devout when it's a question of saving their skins. Well, I won't have it, I tell you, Friar. Guy, come here. Read. When we speak the word God, we seem to be referring to a substance, but... Translate. When we speak the word God, we seem to be referring to a substance, but... Come over here, boys. Write it down. Writes a beautiful hand, doesn't he, Father Abbott? You've done professional copying. I was on my third book. So? And would you like to do books for us here? To copy volumes we borrow from other monasteries. That's all I want to do. I'm a peaceful fellow. He was working quietly when the Sheriff's men attacked him. It was a clear case of self-defense. Of course it was. You don't have to argue the point with me. You bring me a young man who wishes to retire from the world. I accept him. Why do we have to quibble about the details of his past life? Thank you both. Good night to you. Thank you, Father Abbott. It's easier by the stairs, gentlemen. Thank you, Father Abbott. Thanks, Mobiscum. Yes, indeed. I've committed no crime. I'm an innocent man, Your Worship. Your brother almost killed one of my men. But I didn't. Why am I being arrested for an act of my brother's? On what grounds am I brought here? You'll know soon enough. You found anything yet? I think so, my Lord. Let me study this for a moment. Your brother has gone into hiding. I didn't hide him. He resisted arrest with a deadly weapon. I wasn't with him. Whoever strikes at one of my men will be hanged. Take him to the dungeons. But I'm not charged. What am I accused of? Well, what is he accused of? Tell him. You are the older brother? Yes. The head of the family then since your father's death? I suppose so. By ancient law and custom, a serf may not be taught to read and write without special permission from his liege lord. And the responsibility in the case of such education being secretly and illegally acquired rests with the father or the head of the family. Excellent. Have it announced throughout Nottinghamshire that this man will remain a prisoner until his brother gives himself up for trial. Very good, my lord. You are still determined to join the monastery? I am still so determined. So be it. Repeat after me. I, Guy, son of Donald, henceforth to be known as brother Altheus. I, Guy, son of Donald, henceforth to be known as brother Altheus. Do pledge myself in the name of almighty God. Do pledge myself in the name of almighty God. To a life of personal poverty. To a life of personal poverty. Chastity of mind and body. Chastity of mind and body. And unquestioning obedience to my superiors in all matters temporal or spiritual. And unquestioning obedience to my superiors in all matters temporal or spiritual. Rise, brother Altheus. Yes, what is it, brother Dominic? I have information about our latest novice here. If you refer to the boy's passage at arms with the sheriff's men, I've decided to overlook it. What's happened, father? His brother has been arrested for letting Guy be educated without permission. The sheriff threatens to hold him till Guy is delivered into custody in his state. I must surrender myself. There is no other choice. I have your permission. You have nothing of the kind. You would be hanged. But I can't let him stay there. He's my brother. No, he was your brother. Now your brothers are the other novices and monks of this abbey. Perhaps I should think that way, father, but I can't. You have a vocation and the talent to do great things. Whereas David... But he was the one responsible for my learning. All the more reason not to undo his work. Father Abbott, you can't ask me to... Have you forgotten the oath you swore just now? Did you take the name of Almighty God in vain? No, I mean to be obedient. I want to be a good monk, but... Then rid yourself of your worldly willfulness. Go to your cell and remain there until you have my permission to leave it. Yes, father. Pray to God for humility to understand his intentions. Device Hayır Music I found this monk wandering in the forest. He says he knows you. Guy! What is it, my son? What are you doing here? You said the other day I could join your band. I've decided that's what I want to do. Why? Has something gone wrong at the Abbey? You rescue innocent men from prison, don't you? That's why I need your help. Who is the innocent man? My brother, David. The Sheriff is holding him as a hostage for me. Can we free him? I'll take the most dangerous part of it. There's no one part more dangerous than any other to be suicide for all of us. But there must be a way. We're growing stronger here each season, but we can't storm Nottingham. Then I'll have to give myself up to be hanged. Thank you, Father Tuck, for all... No, Guy, you can't. You mustn't. You can't march in and surrender to the Sheriff. For one thing, you can't trust him. He'd hang you and still keep David a prisoner anyway. He would indeed. You've already taken your vows as a novice, haven't you? Yes, I have, but... I think the boy should put himself in the Sheriff's hands. What? Just walk in and say, here I am, Sheriff, now set my brother free? No, that'll be doing it the Sheriff's way. Now, what I have in mind is a little variation of our own. Must be a very sinful prisoner to require two confessors. What does that matter to you? Two of us can't knock down these prison walls any more than one of us can. Only, Father, help me. I've been waiting nine years for a hearing. Can this be true? There's nothing you can do about his case. He was put here by order of the old king. Henry, then his majesty goes and dies without ever telling anybody what this fellow's crime was. This one's yours. We'll call when we want to come out. David, David, wake up! David, take off your doublet. Friar, talk! Don't talk! Do as I say! Now, hurry! Now, come with me. I'll explain later. Guard, we're ready. I don't understand. Wait till we get outside the castle. So soon? The knave's in a sullen mood today. Nothing to be gained by talking with him. Insolent dog! When the good father's come all these miles to save your soul! Next. Bring in the case! The sir found Lord Germain's manor. He conspired to have his younger brother taught his letters. Ah, yes. What the devil? These precedents are all from Normandy. They have nothing to do with English law. This one read as well. Evidently. This says David, son of Donald. That is not my name. Then if you are not David, why didn't you tell me so when I saw you before? When did I see you before? You look the same. Oh, do you? Does he look the same to you? He has to be the same. See. It says here... What it says there has nothing to do with me. My name is Guy, son of Donald. The one you wanted. The one who wounded poor Gervais. Do you mean to say that instead of the brother I was holding as hostage for the other brother, I've got the brother whose brother was accused of letting his brother learn to... That is correct. Allowing for a certain lack of clarity in the way you express it. You're being insolent. You attacked one of my men with intent to kill. That means a death sentence. I attacked no one. If I hurt anybody, it was in self-defense. Ah. You've condemned yourself out of your own mouth. There is no such thing as self-defense against my authority. The sentence is death on the gallows. Then you won't listen to my side of the story? You could scarcely be called an unprejudiced observer. But if I produce other witnesses... I shan't listen to them either. If they confirm my judgment of the case, their testimony is unnecessary. If they contradict it, it will avail them nothing because I have already announced my verdict. Take him back to the dungeon. Have the gallows made ready to hang him at sunrise. In that case, I plead benefit of clergy. You impudent scoundrel. Just because you've mastered your alphabet, do you think that makes a cleric of you? You're still a serf. A bondsman of Lord Germain. I am a novice at Whitby Abbey, and I'm entitled to have my case reviewed by church authorities. Are they recruiting in the pigsty now? Take him away and hang him at once. I have taken my vows, and no civil court can condemn me. He speaks the truth, Sheriff. I administered the vows myself. I claim this man in the name of our order and of Holy Church. If any disciplinary action is necessary, I will administer it. But he belongs to Lord Germain. On the contrary. He belongs to God. If Lord Germain thinks he is entitled to some monetary compensation, he and I can negotiate the matter without your help. Come, my son. There's no time to spare from your studies. I can't allow this fellow to escape the Scott Free. My authority is at stake. Father Abbott, you may need protection on the way to the Abbey. I'll arrange it with my friend, the one that helps me with charity work. You may tell your friend that I have no need of protection from him. I don't have dealings with men who hide their true identities. But it doesn't have to be a secret from you. The fact is... I don't want to know. I would rather not. This stout lad and I can travel the King's Highway by ourselves. A boon, Father Abbott. May I give thanks to the good St. Thomas a Beckett, who earned us the benefit that saved me from the gallows. Certainly, my son. David! Father Abbott, I thought you might need some protection on the journey. Well, perhaps I was a trifle hasty in refusing the offer. I really think we should be as grateful to... to this gentleman as to St. Thomas himself. May I introduce... No, you may not. He might turn out to be someone it isn't fitting for me to speak to. Robin Hood himself, for all I know. And I have thanks to express to him. My Lord Abbott, I have a way you can express those thanks without words. This lad will be in trouble with the Sheriff for his brother's escape. Could you use a willing worker at the Abbey? I could find a place for him in... in my line of work. But I think they'll be better off together in your line of work. Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Robin Hood. He called the greatest arches to a tavern on the green. They vowed to help the people of the king. They handled all the trouble on the English country scene. And still found plenty of time to sing. Robin Hood, Robin Hood, riding through the glen. Robin Hood, Robin Hood, with his band of men. Feared by the bad, loved by the good. Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Robin Hood.